The International Wedding of 777 Couples Solemnized in Seoul

Sun Myung Moon
October 21, 1970

Entering of officiators (True Parents) for the ceremony.

Entering of officiators (True Parents) for the ceremony.

On October 21, 1970 between 10:30 and 12:30, The International Wedding of 777 Couples of 10 nations was solemnized at the Metropolitan Gymnasium in Seoul with the presence of over 15,000 guests under the auspices of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity in Seoul.

The couples were from Korea, Japan, Austria, The United States of America, France, England, Germany, Italy and Free China and many garlands of flowers were sent from Representatives, ministers and financial leaders, congratulatory telegrams from the foreign families, and Japanese former premier Nobusuke Kishi contributed the congratulatory message to the wedding.

At night between 7:30 and 9:30, there was a performance if men in the entertainment world in addition to the program of blessed couples.

Master talking at a welcome party for Japanese prospective couples at Sutoek-Ri.

Master talking at a welcome party for Japanese prospective couples at Sutoek-Ri.

The Meaning of the International Wedding of 777 Couples

(This explanation made for guests)

Through our history of seventeen years, The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity has been striving for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth and for the eternal salvation of mankind, which are the essential missions of Religion. By your good assistance and cooperation, our Association has developed into a worldwide organization having national headquarters in twenty five countries.

At one time, through misunderstandings by society and established churches, we were forced to face many difficulties.

Flags of Unified Church welcoming the arrival of Japanese prospective couples at Seoul Railway Station

Flags of Unified Church welcoming the arrival of Japanese prospective couples at Seoul Railway Station

Ending all the trials and persecutions, we fought to reform the fallen world into a new bright world in our Heavenly Father's hands.

In the long run, we made a national base of the Truth, the Divine Principle, in Korea, and we opened overseas centers in Japan, The United States of America, England, West Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Spain, Free China, India, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Syria, Jordan, Ireland, Brazil, Lebanon, Luxembourg and the Republic of South Africa.

In the above countries, with the propagation of the Divine Principle, our members are full of hope to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on this globe, and are living in great happiness for their eternal rebirth in the Divine Principle.

Japanese members coming up the stairs of the station led by Ken Sudo.

Japanese members coming up the stairs of the station led by Ken Sudo.

One important thing which we should not forget is the fact that where the Divine Principle goes an Anti-Communism movement is promoted to defeat the Communist ideology, thus ensuring the realization of one ideal world.

The 777 couples were selected from the unified families in ten countries, Korea, Japan, America, England, West Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Free China and Holland and they joined with their eternal spouses at the ceremony.

Before this, there were several united marriage ceremonies of 36, Couples, 72, Couples, 124, Couples and 430 couples in Korea.

Prayer of Japanese members.

Prayer of Japanese members.

At each time, we could feel the deep meaning of them. We also know the fact that there were already some international weddings under the Divine Principle, in Japan, America and Germany in 1969, and now, there are many Children of Blessed Families in many countries.

But in scale, this International Wedding of 777 Couples is the greatest in comparison with the past wedding ceremonies, and such a large united wedding ceremony has never been in human history.

It is an important problem to us, concerning international significance the wedding ceremony has for Our Heavenly Father's work, and the influence the ceremony can have on the accomplishment of Father's will.

Under one truth of the Divine Principle, they will marry to work for God's will.

Celebrating prayer of the Officiators (True Parents)

Celebrating prayer of the Officiators (True Parents)

Program of the International Wedding of 777 Couples

October 21, 1970 10:30 A.M.

1. The Opening ceremony Presider -- Jong Bok Hong

2. Entrance of flags of the participating nations

The first rank couples of the International Wedding of 777 Couples.

The first rank couples of the International Wedding of 777 Couples.

3. Salutation to national flags

4. Address for the ceremony -- Young Hwi Kim, President of HSA-UWC

3. Entrance of bride's maids and bride's men

KBS TV broadcasting.

KBS TV broadcasting.

4. Musical performance of the naval band

5. Entrance of officiator -- Sun Myung Moon

6. Entrance of the brides and bride-grooms

A scene of "questions and answers" blessing vows

A scene of "questions and answers" blessing vows

7. Questions and answers

8. Celebrating prayer of officiator -- Sun Myung Moon, Founder of HSA-UWC

9. Exchange of the wedding presents

Couples leaving after the ceremony.

Couples leaving after the ceremony.

10. Proclamation

11. Gift of presents and bouquets to officiator

12. Singing in unison of celebrating song -- All participators

Holy Wine ceremony for Japanese members.

Holy Wine ceremony for Japanese members.

13. Congratulatory message -- Premier Il Kwon Chung and Minister of C and I

14. The congratulatory address -- Rep. In Soo Yook and Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa

15. Greeting of the brides and bride-grooms

Car parade on the street of Seoul.

Car parade on the street of Seoul.

16. Three cheers of "Manse"

17. Leaving of officiator

18. Leaving of the brides and bride-grooms

19. Leaving of bride's maids and bride's men

20. Closing of the ceremony

All the couples arranging at the hall of the ceremony.

All the couples arranging at the hall of the ceremony.

The International Wedding of 777 Couples in Korea
Young Tyang Chang

The International Wedding of 777 Couples planned by the Holy Spirit Association of the Unification of World Christianity was held at the Changchung Gymnasium in Seoul. Korea on October 21, 1970.

From the viewpoint of general society, such large united wedding ceremony has not been held in human history.

Cheering of "Mansei" Japanese members)

Cheering of "Mansei" Japanese members)

But, we think that it is not necessary for us to be interested in such superficial problems.

It is an important problem to us only that what the wedding ceremony has a deep significance for Heavenly Father's work and the ceremony can have a great influence on the accomplishment of Our Father's Will.

Before this ceremony, there were several united marriage ceremonies of 36 Families, 72 Families, 124 Families and 430 Families. At each time, we could feel the deep meanings of them.

Farley Jones (President of American HSA-UWC) presenting a gift to True parents.

Farley Jones (President of American HSA-UWC) presenting a gift to True parents.

We also know the fact that there were already some international weddings under the Divine Principle, in Japan, America and Europe, and now, there are many Children of Blessing in many countries.

But in scale, this International Wedding of 777 Couples was the great, in comparison with the past wedding ceremonies. Because about 222 Couples were foreign of ten countries, including Japanese, American and European Families, and they came to Korea, firstly, to have their wedding ceremony under the Blessing of our True Parent's Hands.

By the sending of Korean missionaries to Japan and America in 1960, our Heavenly Father's Providence began on a worldwide scale, centering the Divine Principle.

MBC TV broadcasting of representative from ten countries.

MBC TV broadcasting of representative from ten countries.

After only a decade, our movement of the Divine Principle is now spreading into about 25 foreign countries and from ten countries of them, our foreign members with blue eyes and brown hair visited Korea to light the worldwide flame of the International Wedding of 777 Couples.

This would be the first in our Korean history and also in human history.

Now, we are able to have a great hope Restoration of all mankind, realistically.

Externally, through the WACL Conference in Tokyo, we could get about 60 comrade-countries to struggle against Communism, and internally, through The International Wedding of 777 Couples, we could get a spiritual relationship with ten foreign nation Families under one Truth of the Divine Principle.

singers [Jack Korthuis (Castle), Gladys Korthuis and Bonnie] from Las Vegas Unified Church (MBC TV).

singers [Jack Korthuis (Castle), Gladys Korthuis and Bonnie] from Las Vegas Unified Church (MBC TV).

From this time, we are really forced to march on to spread the Divine Principle to all mankind over the world.

Transcending racial conditions, we have to make oneness as the Children of True Parents. We have to make new combinations with all foreign members.

Race with race, nation with nation, we have to make a united front to struggle against Communism, the last for of Our Heavenly Father.

We believe that this is the only way to save all of mankind, perfectly.


List of Names of the International Wedding of 777 Couples

Rehearsal of the International Wedding Ceremony of 777 Couples at Sutaek-Ri

Rehearsal of the International Wedding Ceremony of 777 Couples at Sutaek-Ri